Classic/Antique Car Repair: 54 Bel Air?, lines tank, battery cable

Question
QUESTION: I have started this several times, it doesn't run but just dies/backfires then
dies after a few seconds. I had to replace the battery as it was ruined after the
first several tries- to find out that it the vehicle uses a positive ground set-up
(oops!) and put a new battery in correctly. I started it a few more times- same
result- death/backfire then death. . . then I tried starting again and it didn't
turn over, it just started making this sad whining sound and looks like the
battery cable moves a little. Not sure if I need to replace the starter, or if this
is a circuit problem (although I ran tests after putting the new battery in and
everything seemed to be functional). I am assuming the backfiring is due to
burning off a little buildup as i didn't clean the lines tank and carb first- just
emptied and refilled the tank, putting in some fuel cleaner additive.

ANSWER: Hi Christi:

Sounds like you have a couple of problems. Depending on how long the car has been sitting, really determines just what needs to be gone to bring it back to life. If it have been sitting for several years, then you need to take it through a recommission process. Which include new plugs, plug wires, points. In other word, a Tune-Up. Then drain and replace ALL fluids, especially oil, transmission and coolant. Once the car is running correctly, replace the other fluids (brake and steering).

Your backfiring is cause by fouled plugs. Fuel is not being burned in the cylinder, but is being dump into the manifold and exhaust and is being burned there because the plugs are bad.

I am not sure exactly what is causing the whining noise, but it sounds like a bad/broken starter gear or flywheel gear. Check to make sure the gears connecting the starter to the flywheel are not bad. That would cause the starter to turn (which actually creates a whining sound) but the starter is not turning the flywheel anymore(which creates the cranking sound).

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi! Thanks for the flywheel suggestion, I will definitely check that out. As for the plugs and fluids. . . I already drained ad switched them before trying to start everything up :( however I did not change the plug wires and the points- would that alone make it backfire?

Answer
Hi Christi:
Possibly. The backfiring is caused by unburned gas in the exhaust. So, either you have plugs that are not firing Or the timing could be off and the plugs are not firing at the right time. There is a very high chance your timing is off. Check and set the timing first and that should fix the problem.